Minister of Energy and Water:
Born on 4th January 1964 in Ingombota, a municipality within the metropolitan area of Luanda province, is a notable Angolan scholar and politician. He currently resides in Maianga, Luanda and is the son of Armando Borges and Maria da Conceição de Castro Paiva. Since 2011, Borges has served as the Minister of Energy and Water, holding the position under Presidents José Eduardo dos Santos and João Lourenço. He has been a member of the Political Bureau of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) since 17th June 1998. Borges is fluent in English, French, and Spanish.
Training and Education:
João Baptista Borges pursued an Intermediate Course in Electricity at the Makarenko Polytechnic Institute in 1983. Later, in 1991, he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Agostinho Neto University. In 2011, he completed his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Nova University of Lisbon, Portugal.
Professional Career:
Following his graduation in 1991, João Baptista began his civil service as a trainee mechanical engineer at ENE/North Regional Directorate until 1992. Given his passion for teaching and remarkable academic background, he was appointed as a professor at the Faculty of Engineering at Agostinho Neto University. During this time, he taught courses on Technology of Electrical Materials I and II. He also held various positions simultaneously, including Head of the MV/LV Distribution Network Rehabilitation Project at Luanda EDEL EP from 1991 to 1993. In 1993, he became Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area at EDEL EP, where he remained until 1999. In 2000, he assumed the role of Administrator and Deputy General Manager of the Technical Area at EDEL EP, a position he held until 2005. In 2002, he was promoted to Chairman of the Board of EDEL EP, serving until 2008 when he was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy due to his exceptional merits and capabilities.
Governmental Experience:
Owing to his outstanding track record as an engineer and politician, João Baptista Borges was appointed Deputy Minister of Energy in 2008, a position he held until 2010. He was then promoted to Secretary of State for Energy until 2011, when he assumed the role of Minister of Energy and Water, a position he continues to hold.
He played a significant role in the inauguration of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) in the Municipality of Viana, Luanda. The center’s mission is to coordinate renewable energy and energy efficiency policies in the ECCAS region and promote an integrated and inclusive market for related products and services. RCREEE receives support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
During his tenure as Minister, he took on the task of reorganizing the state’s business sector, establishing the legal and regulatory framework for the sector, and formulating the Energy and Water Plan for the period of 2012-2017. As Secretary of State for Energy, he assumed responsibility for overseeing the development of the National Energy Security Plan and served as the coordinator for the Program aimed at enhancing the generation capacity nationwide. Additionally, as Deputy Minister, he spearheaded the coordination of a program focused on bolstering power generation capacity specifically for Luanda, amounting to 300 MW.
During his tenure as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDEL from 2008 to 2010, he successfully orchestrated the restructuring of the organization and updated its Strategic Plan. Through the formalization of illegal consumers and the outsourcing of services in the peripheral areas of Luanda, he managed to attract 120,000 clients within a span of three years. Furthermore, he expanded EDEL’s coverage to include the province of Bengo.
While serving as Administrator and Deputy General Manager for the Technical Area of EDEL, Minister Borges played a pivotal role in developing the “EDEL Strategic Plan for 2002-2005”. He skillfully coordinated the operation and maintenance activities of EDEL, managed various aspects related to public electricity supply services, represented EDEL in the UPDEA (African Union of Electricity Producers and Distributors), and fostered agreements with other companies such as EDP, LIGHT, and EDF.
As Deputy General Manager of the Investment Area of EDEL-EP, he exhibited exemplary coordination skills by overseeing all infrastructure projects, managing the restructuring process of EDEL’s commercial area, introducing the commercial system known as Pegasus, and supervising EDEL’s works area, which involved executing network extension projects and connecting new clients.
Minister João Baptista Borges has actively participated in numerous international events since assuming office, sharing his wisdom, experience, leadership, and steadfastness in addressing critical issues related to building a sustainable planet. Notable events he attended include the 6th Annual Germany-Africa Energy Forum in Hamburg from 22 to 25 April 2012, the Consultative Meeting on Water Supply and Sanitation Situation in Angola and Namibia in February 2012, and the International Conference and International Fair on Energy and Water from 24 to 28 September 2012. Additionally, he took part in the High-Level Roundtable of the SADC Infrastructure Investment Summit in Maputo on 27 June 2013, the Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for the Water Sector on 30 May 2013, and the Meeting of Ministers of ZANCOM, Standing Committee, and Hydrographic Management of the Zambezi Basin on 30 May 2013. Moreover, he actively engaged in the International Conference on Hydraulic Technology in Israel from 18 to 25 October 2013, the International High-Level Conference on Water Cooperation held in Dushanbe/Tajikistan on 20 and 21 August 2013, and served as a member of the Angola Namibia Bilateral Commission on 10-11 March 2014.
United Nations (UN) •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
From his position as Minister of Energy of the Republic of Angola, João Baptista Borges has emerged as a tireless advocate for the achievement of the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.
Energy Transition Dialogue •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
He actively participated in the 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue held in Germany on 28-29 March. His involvement in the event was remarkable as he highlighted the advancements in renewable energies within Angola’s energy sector. Notably, Angola is poised to export green hydrogen in the form of ammonia by 2025, a significant achievement attributed to Borges’ leadership and strategic thinking.
Decarbonisation of Industry •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Minister Borges also took part in a panel discussion on “Decarbonisation of Industry – Success Stories and Challenges of the Global Hydrogen Economy.” His active involvement in this panel demonstrated his commitment and concerns regarding climate goals, ensuring a secure supply of clean energy for a climate transition, especially in developing nations.
UN Water Conference •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
As Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges led the Angolan delegation to the UN Water Conference held in New York City from 22-24 March 2023. Acting on behalf of President João Lourenço, he announced a significant investment of over USD 4 billion for the 2023-2027 period to address the water situation in Angola, particularly in the southern regions. His poignant words at the World Forum resonated with all attendees when he expressed concerns about the cyclic droughts causing population displacement and animal migration, resulting in substantial human and material sacrifices.
ESIAP and PDISA ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
João Baptista Borges also participated in a meeting of Water and Sanitation Ministers convened by the World Bank Group during the UN Conference on Water – UN2023. During the meeting, he provided updates on ongoing projects funded by the World Bank and discussed projects currently in progress, including the Electric Sector Access and Improvement Project (ESIAP), the Water Sector Institutional Development Project (PDISA), and the Bita project.
Strategic Vision of the Government ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Minister João Baptista Borges played a crucial role as the coordinator in the preparation of the “White Paper” outlining the “Strategic Vision of the Government for the expansion of renewable energies.” Additionally, he spearheaded the drafting of the Ministry of Energy and Water’s statute. Moreover, he assumed the responsibility of the National Liaison Office (NLO) of Angola to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), representing the country in global efforts to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent nuclear weapons proliferation.